Elgin church to host annual Greek Fest

ELGIN – St. Sophia Church, 525 Church Road, will present its 35th annual summer Greek Fest from Friday to July 14.

The fest will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and then again from 5 to 11 p.m. for dinner. Faxed-in and emailed orders of more than $50 are available for pickup.

On July 13 and 14, the fest will open at noon and run until 11 p.m. July 13 and 10 p.m. July 14.

The fest, which traditionally attracts more than 12,000 people, is open to the public. Admission is $2.

In addition to authentic Greek cuisine such as gyros, Grecian chicken, souvlaki, moussaka and pastitsio, there will be saganaki, Greek fries, fried calamari and Greek salad. American fare also will be available.

After dinner, attendees can unwind at the Greek Kafenio, where many traditional Greek sweets, such as baklava and loukoumathes, can be found.

Children can enjoy games and inflatable rides, including a Euro-Bungee. Rides will not be open during the lunch period Friday. Unlimited rides are available from noon to 4 p.m. July 13 and 14 for $15.

A “Sounds of Greece” DJ will play music July 12 and 13, and adults may enjoy a full bar. The live band Hellas 2000 will provide traditional and modern Greek music during the evening of July 14. St. Sophia’s Agape Dance Troupe also will perform traditional Greek dances in full costume all weekend.